, 1887-01-29

stuart cOnlu mol nelltVc ut HfSL lllui tlc
animal was dead; it seemed too horrible
TO be true. But all his efforts to rouse
the poor creature proving futile, he sat
down, sick and white, upon the nearest
stone and shouted TO his companions for
nclp.
But his shouts were so faint that II was
II long time before they were answered.
Then the boys came running up, fright
cncd al his long absence, but utterly I'M
prepared for the dreadful news Stuart had
10 tell them They were terribly shocked
aud gathered about the dead horse, utter
ing nnny expressions of dismay and
sorrow.
Il don't know how | shall ever tell old
Simon, ', groancd stuart. Boys, hen
just about kill me"
Tell him. exclaimed Tom Ilnlpine,
You're surely not going TO be such Il fool
What's the use OF telling him Well take
away the bridge, and the old fellow will
never know hut that the horse jumped
.hc fence and fell over here by himself.
1t wouldn't be right to lei him = nix
that, ~ returned Stuart. NO, I've got to
tell
"And bring all the rest Of us into the
muss, too, | p - said Ben Hopper.
NO; I'll promise not to mention any Of
YOU. There's no need Of it thai I can
scc.'
And | can't see that there is anything
TO be gained by telling Pieffer, " said Luke.
1t won't bring the horse to life again.
What's the use OF being such "A saint,
Stuart,''
Il don't pretend To be a saint, an
severed Stuart, but I'm not IL coward. |
shall tell picifer If he kills me the next
minute. It's all l can do"
90, you'll think better Of it, - said Luke,
,e a.. rap,,rn1 ia. r.pn I.rfdl. from Tho
neck of the dead horse. "A nights sleep
will cool you of.
But the night brought no sleep to Stu
art, 80 tormented was he by thoughts OF
the beautiful brown horse lying dead
among the weeds and stones below the
bridge, and when morning came 1t found
his resolution unchanged He was, us he
Ind said, no coward, and he intended to
confess what he had done irrespective Of
the consequences.
That Mr.. Pieffer would be very severe,
hc did not doubt for IL moment Perhaps
the old man would give him II terrible
thrashing or put him in jail He was sure
to ncte out II punishment equal to the
oifcnsc. and Stuart knew the offense was
very great.
lie looked 80 white and haggard when
he came down stairs ut q O'Clock that his
mother uttered an exclamation of alarm.
You're sick, Stuart she said; you can
20 straight back to bed. III attend to the
COW ~
But Stuart shook his head and went out
10 the stable TO attend to the COW himself.
lie had not told his mother about his mis-
fortune, for he did not want TO worry her.
1t would be time enough to tell her when
he had seen Mr.. Pieifer.
That she might not suspect that some
thing had ccurred to trouble him, he tried
10 eat his usual allowance of griddle cakes
nj breakfast, but every mouthful seemed
to choke him, md he lind to give up The
attempt in despair.
As soon rs he rose from the table he put
On his hat and went out, despite his
mothers prophecy that the sun would
make him feel worse, and turned his steps
nt once in the direction OF Mr.. Piefieris
beautiful suburban residence.
lie had prepared n little speech with
which he intended to begin his confession,
In every word Of it He'd from his mind
when he entered Mr.. Piefrcr's grounds aud
saw the old gentleman standing only half
II dozen yards away. an angry look on his
face. and his eyes glaring ut u young negro
who stood before him. looking sullen and
defiant.
You needn't deny 1t, sir, were the
first words Stuart heard. Il wouldn' I
believe YOU on oath. You're the dullest
fellow | ever had about my stables, but |
did think You had sense enough to put the
oars up when You turned IA valuable horse
like that out Ia pasture You're dis
clnrgol, and YOU needn't ask for IA recon,-
mcnhation, for | won't give it,
With "A heart TINT seemed like II lump
Of lead in his breast, and h~esitating foot
steps, stuart approached the angry pair.
AT Dt.n.r . L.. .utl Il. "a lou. a1alr.t,
voice. Il want To speak to you sir"
We'll, speak, and be quick about it,
was the rough rejoinder. you want
work, | suppose, and big wages. You
may as well leave, | haven't amy work FOR
you
"No, sir; / don't want work STAN.
mcrcd poor Stuart. II want Ia tell YOU
that | took your horse out OF the pasture
-and-it got frightened and fell over the
bridge.
For Il moment, II seemed much longer
To Stuart in his agony of suspense, the ole
gentleman stared at him in utter silence,
his face fairly purple with rage.
"Nou-you young rcprobatel' he eX
claimed ut Inst. You ought to be shot
Yes, sir, | know it, " answered Stuart
81 was never 50 sorry for anything in al
my life as | am for this. But we only
wanted to Il II little fun and never
thought of hurting the horse
You were not alone, then'' said MIR
Picncr
No, sir 90
Who were the othersf''
There's no use iu telling that, sir, % an
rwercd Stuart, true TO the promise of Sc
orccy he had made. Il was the one whC
waa on the horse when he fell over the
bridge, and 1t vas all my fault, | ought
not 10 have tried to cross the bridge.
might have known he woul he fright
cncd ut that old tree
The angry lush left Mr.. Piefrer's iace,
and II very peculiar look came into hi,
keen gray eyes.
Nevertheless. you had better tell III,
the names OF the boys who We're with
YOU, % lac said 1T will be wise for you tt
do So
But the covert threat contained in these
Inst words did not cause Stuart to wnvci
an Instant. He was very generous, rs
well rs brave
Il told the boys | wouldn't, sir, he an.
severed respectfully.
They didn't offer TO come with YOU,
suppose"
There was no need of II.
We'll, | am to look only Ia you TO pay
me for my horso,'
Pay him Stuart stared nt the old gen
tlcmnn aghast. The thought of paying foi
the horse had never entered his mind.
lie knew payment was out of the ques-
ton lie had not n dollar of his own In
the world, and it was only by the s%trictesl
economy that his mother managed TO make
her small income cover their necessary ex'
pcnses; they did not indulge in ~luxuries OF